ABB Acquires Høglund to Advance Marine Automation Technologies

ABB Expands Industrial Automation Reach Through Strategic Marine Acquisition

Marine Automation Market Dynamic

The industrial automation landscape continues to evolve through targeted strategic acquisitions. Marine operations demand sophisticated DCS and PLC architecture to optimize modern vessel performance. Global electrification leader ABB has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norwegian specialist Høglund AS. This strategic transaction integrates Høglund’s specialized maritime engineering expertise into ABB’s Marine & Ports division. The acquisition expands ABB's technical reach across global maritime fleets.

Technical Synergy and DCS Integration

Høglund builds its Integrated Automation System (IAS) directly on ABB’s 800M and S800 control systems hardware platforms. This shared technical framework ensures smooth compatibility across control architectures. Høglund's proprietary software handles complex monitoring tasks by integrating critical telemetry from main engines, power generators, and cargo units. Industrial operators gain actionable insights that reduce fuel consumption, improve operational efficiency, and lower lifecycle maintenance costs.

Global Presence and Scalability

Høglund brings an established footprint to ABB's portfolio, with active control systems running on over 600 vessels worldwide. The company generated nearly 30 million euros in revenue during 2025. This transaction includes over 80 specialized engineers distributed across Norway, Poland, Romania, and China. ABB will leverage its global supply chain and service infrastructure to deliver enhanced technical support and seamless maintenance to Høglund's existing customer base.

Strategic Industry Outlook

Modern vessel operators face tight environmental regulations and rising fuel costs. The acquisition demonstrates how modular PLC systems and advanced digital monitoring drive maritime decarbonization. By integrating Høglund’s flexible software with ABB’s heavy electrical equipment, ABB strengthens its position in factory automation and specialized process control. This combined technology platform helps shipbuilders and shipowners future-proof their assets through continuous digital optimization.

Application Scenario: Commercial LNG Carrier Automation In a typical liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier application, the integrated system unifies the primary engine control, power management system (PMS), and cargo handling telemetry into a single interface. Operators monitor real-time propulsion metrics alongside cargo tank pressure and boil-off gas rates. The DCS automatically balances generator loads, prevents equipment downtime, and reduces overall voyage emissions through predictive control algorithms.